about the german colonies collectors group
Our History and Members
GCCG was founded in 1968 and has been in continuous operation since 1973. We have more than 220 members, principally in the United States, Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom, with members in several other countries. We publish our journal, VORLÄUFER, in English.
Our Affiliations
There are two major study groups for the German Colonies – the Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Sammler Deutscher Kolonialpostwertzeichen (based in Germany) and the German Colonies Collectors Group (GCCG), based in the U.S. GCCG is a Study Group of the U.S.-based Germany Philatelic Society, and Affiliate No. 236 of the American Philatelic Society. GCCG is also an Associated Group of the U.K.'s Germany and Colonies Philatelic Society.
Interested in membership?
Visit our membership page to learn about the benefits of joining our group.
a brief overview of german colonies and collecting
Material for this area dates from 1871 to 1921, beginning with vorläufer (forerunners) – German stamps without any overprints or surcharges which were ‘used abroad’ and are thus identifiable only by the cancellation.
Other interesting varieties include overprinted, surcharged, and bisected stamps. Perforated initials, covers with various ‘no stamps available’ markings, postal stationery (both official and printed-to-private-order), flight covers, and tamp booklets are known from the colonies.
Some collectors focus on the cancels, other postal markings and postal forms. Others collect provisionals, issued after natural disasters occurred. Police actions, rebellions, and the Great War also generated collectibles – stamps and postal markings – from everyone associated with these events, including soldiers, sailors, prisoners of war, internees and civilians.
